Piddled

To spend time in a wasteful, inefficient, or aimless way; to dawdle or trifle. It often implies a lack of seriousness or focus, especially with regard to work, chores, or pursuits. The action of piddling can manifest as a slow, unproductive pace, a lack of commitment, or a tendency to get easily distracted by less important activities. Piddling can result in missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, or a general feeling of underachievement. The word suggests a lighthearted, somewhat irresponsible approach, making it suitable for situations where a more diligent effort was expected. It is also the past tense of 'piddle'.

Piddled meaning with examples

• Instead of tackling the project head-on, he piddled away the entire afternoon, browsing the internet and making coffee. When the deadline arrived, he was far behind schedule, with most of the task remaining. His boss, however, was sympathetic and extended the deadline.
• She knew she should have been studying for her exams, but she piddled around with online games instead. Her grades suffered, and she regretted not focusing on her studies. Her parents were not impressed with her scores when she eventually showed them.
• The carpenter, known for precision, admitted he had piddled with the measurements, resulting in a poorly constructed doorframe. The final result required a lot of reconstruction and replacement of material.
• During the renovation, rather than making a concerted effort to get the rooms organized, the homeowner piddled with minor tasks, leaving the bigger, more important work to be tackled later. He was very happy when it all came together.